Agar Grove Estate – Hazelbury Way & Agar Grove

Location: Camden, London
Client: London Borough of Camden
Date: 2012 - 2021
Value: £97 Million
Awards: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Project of the Year Award 2025 RIBA National Award –2023 RIBA London Award –2023 Housing Design Award –2022 RICS Award –2022 Camden Design Award –2022 Inside Housing Development Award –2022 New London Architecture Award –2021 Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Building Performance Award –2020 NLA Award Sustainability and Overall Winner Award (Phase 1a) –2019 The Mayor’s Award for Good Growth – London Planning Award 2019 The Mayor’s Award for Sustainable and Environmental Planning – London Planning Award 2019 Housing Design Award –2015 The Sunday Times British Homes Award –Commendation 2015

Hazelbury Way and Agar Grove are part of Phase 1 of the Agar Grove Estate regeneration. Masterplanned in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown and Grant Associates, we are creating 496 new homes for new and existing residents. Of these, 359 will be built to the very high Passivhaus fabric performance standard.

We worked closely with the local council and the people living in this 1960's estate to create a safe, high-quality family neighbourhood.

The scheme was unanimously approved at planning, with the officer’s report commenting "The proposals are considered to be exceptional in all aspects of design, from the masterplan right through to the detailed consideration of the doorstep experience".

Following consultations with residents, our scheme draws on the built context of the area, with terraces, villas and mansion blocks facing public spaces. A neglected tower block is being refurbished to improve sustainability and identity.

Hazelbury Way and Agar Grove comprise 34 stacked maisonettes, which are light filled and adhere to high space standards, all built to the Passivhaus standard to deliver low heating bills. The low energy homes help to reduce fuel poverty amongst Camden tenants and reduce operational carbon.

Further buildings that we have designed as part of Agar Grove can be found here.

Planning information can be downloaded here and search by ref: 2013/8088/P

Contractor Hill

Collaborating Architect Hawkins\Brown

Structural Engineer Stantec

Environmental / M&E Engineer Max Fordham/ Warm

Project Management / Quantity Surveyor Arcadis

Landscape Architect Grant Associates

Planning Consultant CMA Planning

CIBSE Project of the Year Award 2025 for Agar Grove 1b Project Update

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineering has Awarded Agar Grove 1b its Project of the Year 2025.

In a competitive field, the judges praised Agar Grove 1b for its exemplary application of design best practice on a large scale. They highlighted the focus on building performance and commitment to the local community. The project, part of the UK’s largest Passivhaus housing scheme, includes 34 council and 23 private homes.

Our design partners Max Fordham adopted a passive-first M&E design, achieving 70% energy efficiency. Resident surveys showed high satisfaction, and the design considered overheating risks, passive ventilation and noise mitigation for optimal comfort.

The judges said it was important to recognise Agar Grove 1b as a trailblazer for large, complex housing projects. ‘It’s precisely in these more challenging, larger-scale environments where our industry’s most meaningful progress can be made,’ they said.
February 2025
Agar Grove Phase 1b shortlisted for the RIBA's Neave Brown Award for Housing Project Update

Given in honour of social housing pioneer Neave Brown (1926-2018), the annual award recognises the UK’s best new affordable housing.

Neave Brown worked for Camden Council during the era when Sydney Cook was Borough Architect in the 60s and 70s. The schemes the borough delivered at the time are widely regarded as the most important urban housing built in the UK in the past 100 years. It seems fitting, and we are honoured, that our scheme for Camden Council has been shortlisted for this prestigious national award.

The winner will be announced at the RIBA's Stirling Prize ceremony in Manchester on 19th October.
July 2023 View Project
Mæ receives two RIBA National Awards 2023 Project Update

The John Morden Centre and Agar Grove Phase 1b have each received a RIBA National Award 2023. The RIBA National Awards are given to buildings across the UK in recognition of their significant contributions to architecture.

2023's winners, announced on 22 June 2022, were selected by the jury (members of the RIBA Awards Group), chaired by Denise Bennetts, from the RIBA Regional Award winners.
June 2023
Agar Grove 1b shortlisted for 2023 RIBA London Regional Awards Project Update

We are delighted to announce that Agar Grove Phase 1b has been shortlisted for the 2023 RIBA London Regional Awards. The project delivers 57 homes as part of the wider Agar Grove estate regeneration all designed to passivhaus standard and orientated around a shared garden.
February 2023 View Project
Agar Grove Estate 'highly commended' at the RICS National Awards Project Update

The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. The RICS Awards also recognise outstanding achievement, teamwork and companies so a fantastic achievement to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.
Agar Grove Estate, Mæ's shortlisted project within the residential category was a close winner, yet highly commended by the judges for its sustainability, design and contribution to the community.
October 2022 View Project
Agar Grove 1b wins Inside Housing Development Awards category Project Update

Following the shortlisting announced in June, Agar Grove Phase 1b has now been announced as winner of the Inside Housing Development Awards for Best Regeneration Project, for up to 100 homes.

The Inside Housing Development awards offer the great opportunity to celebrate the very best residential developments across the UK. There are awards to recognise the teams, schemes and solutions that have made a positive impact on the communities we serve, and there are categories to suit all tenures.

A great achievement for Agar Grove Estate in Camden.
September 2022 View Project
Agar Grove Estate phases 1a & 1b announced as winner of the GLA Award for Housing Design Awards 2022 Project Update

Incredible news as Agar Grove Estate, Phases 1a & 1b is announced as winner of the GLA Award for Housing Design Awards 2022.

Tom Copley of Greater London Authority, Deputy Mayor for Housing & Residential Development states:

“In the recent past, the delivery of new homes in london have taken on new challenges, all critical….
Fuel poverty is the biggest issue facing Londoners so this winner is so timely. The award goes to the first 4 blocks in an estate regeneration programme led by a London Council that will provide the country's largest Passivhaus scheme. Passivhaus certification caps heating loadings to less than 10% of the average and residents in the first block delivered have now lived there through two winters. Residents have reported that it works, some even say they can get by with their heating off. What a win for those households, we really need more like this clever scheme.”
September 2022 View Project
Agar Grove 1b is shortlisted for the AJ Awards 2022 Project Update

Mæ's Agar Grove 1b, consisting of Hazelbury Way & Agar Place, the most recently completed phase of Agar Grove Estate in Camden has been shortlisted for the Architectural Journal (AJ) Awards 2022 for the Housing Project category. A great achievement for the practice as well as all collaborators, consultants and of course our client at London Borough of Camden.

Celebrating and rewarding design excellence in UK architecture, AJ the awards highlight the very best projects across 17+ categories from housing, health and wellbeing to workplace and cultural projects.

The winning projects will be revealed at a celebratory event in London on 23rd November 2022.
August 2022 View Project
Agar Grove Phase 1 wins Camden Design Awards 2022 Project Update

A great result for Mæ alongside Hawkins\Brown, as Phase 1 of Agar Grove Estate wins the Camden Design Awards 2022, as announced at the Awards ceremony hosted by Camden Council in June.

The awards celebrate and reward the excellent design that is being delivered in projects across all sectors of the built environment in the Camden borough and it's a delight for the scheme to be crowned winner for this year's awards.
June 2022 View Project
Agar Grove 1b shortlisted for the Inside Housing Development Awards 2022 Project Update

Great news for Mæ as the shortlist is announced for the Inside Housing Development Awards 2022.

Completed in 2021, Agar Grove 1b has been designed and delivered to Passivhaus standards, substantially reducing energy use and bills for existing and future residents of the borough.

The new blocks in Camden are inspired by London’s traditional buildings and streetscapes, whilst accommodating family-friendly maisonettes, split-level apartments and communal playgrounds.
June 2022 View the full shortlist
Agar Grove 1b wins the RICS Regional Awards 2022 Project Update

Located in Camden, Agar Grove, Phase 1b, nominated and designed by Mæ, wins the residential category RICS Regional Awards 2022.

The scheme marks the latest phase in a 57 home Passivhaus regeneration scheme in North London, master planned by Mæ and Hawkins\Brown alongside landscape architects Grant Associates.

Judges state '' The sustainability achievements of this project, with the consequent reduction in energy usage and fuel bills, the quality of the new homes, the evident collaboration between the design team, the Council and the community are testaments to its success''

An overall great achievement for all involved.
May 2022 View Project
Agar Grove 1b shortlisted for the Camden Design Awards 2022 Project Update

Agar Grove 1b, part of The Agar Grove Estate, based in the London Borough of Camden has been shortlisted for this year's Camden Design Awards 2022. The awards celebrate and reward the excellent design that is being delivered in projects across all sectors of the built environment in Camden, North London, whilst focusing on enriching the lives of the people who live and work in Camden. Winners will be announced at an awards event as part of the London Festival of Architecture in the Summer of 2022.
May 2022 View Project
Agar Grove 1b shortlisted for the RICS Awards 2022 Project Update

Mæ are pleased to disclose Agar Grove 1b has been shortlisted for the Residential category in this year's RICS Awards 2022.

The RICS awards are renown for showcasing the most inspirational and innovative initiatives and developments across the country in construction, land and infrastructure. Projects are also required to demonstrate the highest standards of not only professionalism, but also ethics by individuals and teams across the built and natural environment.
April 2022 RICS Awards 2022
Agar Grove Estate 1a & 1b shortlisted for the Housing Design Awards 2022 Project Update

The shortlist has recently been announced for the Housing Design Awards 2022, the longest running awards programme since 1948, showcasing innovative residential schemes across the country.

Mæ and Hawkins/Brown are pleased to share Agar Grove Estate phases 1a & 1b in Camden has been included within the shortlist.

Agar Grove Estate is the UK’s largest Passivhaus development project to date and provides 94 homes designed to better suit households for whom existing units were undersized and unfit for purpose.

The new homes are filled with daylight thanks to the generous, double or triple aspect layouts, with split-levels offering flexibility between living spaces.
March 2022 Find out more
Two projects shortlisted for the Housing Design Awards 2022 Practice News

The Housing Design Awards shortlist 2022 has recently been announced, a list of innovative and well-designed residential schemes across the UK. Mæ are thrilled, not one but two projects have been included within the list for this year's selection.

Mæ's projects include Knight's Walk, a project consisting of 84 homes for Lambeth Council and Agar Grove 1a & 1b in Camden, a joint scheme with Hawkins/Brown for London Borough of Camden.

The Housing Design Awards’ original purpose was to explain what residents think about innovative design and whether it can be replicated. 72 years later this continues.
March 2022 View the HDA shortlist here
New London Awards 2021 Winner - Agar Grove 1b Project Update

Agar Grove Phase 1b has won the Housing category in this year's New London Architecture Awards. Part of the Agar Grove Estate regeneration phase 1b consists of three midrise building enclosing a communal play spaces, whilst creating overlooked frontages onto the surrounding streets. The design is inspired by the area’s elegant Georgian villas and terraces in form and material but also acknowledges popular contemporary home types, such as maisonettes and split-level apartments.
November 2021
Mayor of London; Sadiq Khan visits our newly completed Agar Grove scheme Project Update

Sadiq Khan; Mayor of London visits Mæ's recently completed phase of Agar Grove in Camden, amidst the weeks of discussion of COP26. The project, for the London Borough of Camden, will deliver 507 new homes for new and existing residents, of these, 359 to the very high Passivhaus fabric performance standard and is, so far, the largest Passivhaus scheme in the country.
November 2021 View Project
Agar Grove 1B and John Morden Centre shortlisted for NLA Awards 2021 Project Update

Agar Grove 1B and John Morden Centre have both been shortlisted for the 2021 New London Architecture Awards in the category for built projects.
John Morden Centre has been selected from projects designed to improve the health and wellbeing of Londoners; and Agar Grove 1B has been recognised as creating an exemplary new place for people to live.
Both projects now will go into the running for the next phase of the competition where winners will be chosen by a panel of expert judges.
September 2021
Agar Grove 1B completes Project Update

The second phase of Agar Grove Estate is now complete.
Working in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown and Grant Associates for the London Borough of Camden, we are creating 493 new homes for new and existing residents. Of these, 345 will be built to the very high Passivhaus fabric performance standard.

With its light filled and spacious split level apartments, Agar Grove 1B provides comfortable and sustainable new homes for the community.
August 2021 View Project
Agar Grove 1c wins planning consent Project Update

Agar Grove 1c, the second phase of Mæ's collaborative scheme with Hawkins\Brown for the London Borough of Camden has successfully achieved planning permission.
Following consultations with residents, the scheme draws on the built context of the area, with terraces, villas and mansion blocks facing public spaces.
The largest Passivhaus scheme in the UK, Agar Grove Estate won The Mayor’s Award for Sustainable and Environmental Planning at the London Planning Awards in 2019.
June 2020 View Project
Split-level living takes shape at Agar Grove Project Update

Our passivehaus project for the London Borough of Camden at Agar Grove is making good progress on site. Phase 1b will complete in late 2020 and will deliver mixed-tenure homes including our split-level apartments inspired by the work realised by the borough's own architecture department run by Sydney Cook in the 1960s. Split-level living featured heavily in these projects by the likes of Peter Tabori, Neave Brown and Benson & Forsyth.
April 2020 View Project
Agar Grove Phase 1b Project Update

Agar Grove Phase 1b has topped out and construction of the super-insulated, airtight building envelope is now underway. The scheme is designed to Passivhaus standard and Phase 1b will deliver 57 homes of mixed tenure and feature split level apartments, family duplexes and lateral dual aspect apartments. Meanwhile we are progressing detailed design of Phase 1c, which will commence on site early next year. Agar Grove Estate is the UK's largest Passivhaus scheme.
August 2019 View Project
Agar Grove wins The Mayor's Award for Good Growth Project Update

Agar Grove Estate– our scheme for the London Borough of Camden– has scooped the Mayor’s award for best new development at the London Planning Awards 2019 ceremony, which took place at the National Gallery (31 January 2018). As well as winning The Mayor’s Award for Good Growth the project also won The Mayor’s Award for Sustainable and Environmental Planning. Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “The Agar Grove Estate is a great example of how estate regeneration should be done: helping existing residents play an active role in shaping the future of their neighbourhood and ensuring the development works both for them and for future residents."
January 2019 View Project
Agar Grove Estate and Regent's Park Infill Sites shortlisted for the London Planning Awards 2019 Project Update

We're delighted to announce that Agar Grove Estate has been shortlisted for The Mayor's Award for Sustainable and Environmental Planning, and Regent's Park Infill Sites for the Borough Led Projects Award in the London Planning Awards organised by London First.

Agar Grove Estate will create 493 new homes for new and existing residents of the estate. Of these, 345 will be built to the very high Passivhaus fabric performance standard.

Our Regents Park Infill Sites scheme provides high quality new homes on the Regent’s Park Estate for residents who are due to lose their current homes as a result of the HS2 development.
November 2018 View Project
Social Housing Exhibition featuring Mæ schemes travels to New York Research News

We're excited to announce that two Mæ schemes will again form part of an exhibition on Social Housing, curated by Karakusevic Carson Architects and travelling stateside to New York's Center of Architecture. The exhibition draws together 25 case studies by a new generation of practices that are transforming affordable housing across Europe. Our Agar Grove Estate scheme for London Borough of Camden and our Hillington Square regeneration project in King's Lynn for Freebridge Council are both featured in the exhibition and in an accompanying book of the same title.
The exhibition runs from 15th Feb 2018 through to the 19th May 2018 at the Center for Architecture in New York.
January 2018 View Exhibition details here
Mæ projects featured in the Government's Estate Regeneration National Strategy Project Update

The Government's Estate Regeneration National Strategy aims to support local partners to improve and accelerate estate regeneration schemes to deliver more and better quality housing, drive local growth and improve outcomes for residents. Our Hillington Square scheme in King's Lynn and Agar Grove scheme in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown have both been featured as examples of good practice in the case-studies report. Read more in the official report here
December 2016 View Project
Passivhaus and Estate Regeneration Research News

Passivhaus is an energy performance standard, which employs a fabric first approach, reducing carbon emissions by reducing space heating demand through simple, but high performance building envelope, rather than meeting a larger demand through renewable energy sources. Find out how Passivhaus design is reconciled with high density urban design in our case-study on sustainability.
October 2016 View Article
Agar Grove Estate shortlisted for The Sunday Times British Homes Awards 2015 Project Update

This follows on from our success winning a Housing Design Award for the project in July. The winners will be announced on Fri 16 Oct 2015.
September 2015 View Project
Agar Grove wins a Housing Design Award Project Update

We are delighted to announce that our residential scheme Agar Grove has won a Housing Design Award 2015. An estate regeneration project for the London Borough of Camden, it was undertaken in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown and construction has now started on the first phase.
June 2015 View Project
Housing Design Awards Finalist 2015 Project Update

Mæ are delighted to announce that our Agar Grove scheme for LB Camden (in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown) is a finalist for the 2015 Housing Design Awards. In addition our Brentford Lock West Phase 2 for Waterside Places and Lisson Arches for LB of Westminster have also been shortlisted. The winners will be announced on 13 July.
May 2015 View Project
Mæ shortlisted for the New London Awards 2014 Practice News

Mæ have been shortlisted in two categories at the New London Awards. Firstly our Westminster healthcare centre and HAPPI housing project Lilestone Street & Lisson Arches has been shortlisted in the Health & Care category. Agar Grove, our London Borough of Camden estate regeneration scheme, in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown, is shortlisted in the Masterplanning category. The winners will be announced on 9th July.
June 2014 Read more
A month of planning consents Practice News

Mæ has had a busy month winning planning consent for 600 homes, 5000 sq.m healthcare, 2,500sq.m community and business space across three schemes.
Our Lisson Grove project for the City of Westminster was described by the committee as "An innovative landmark building with complex mix of uses that offers considerable community benefits". The elderly person housing scheme and enterprise space will start on site in September followed by the health hub.
Our collaborative Agar Grove scheme with Hawkins\Brown and Grant Associates for London Borough of Camden was cited as 'An exemplar application' and will deliver 500 new homes and UK's largest passive haus scheme.
April 2014 Read more